Have you ever wondered what wonders lurk deep in Indiana's many caves? Think you have to be an expert? Well, you don't have to be an expert, you just have to know one - or several --- and you can meet them and explore wild caves at this year's 58th annual Cave Capers gathering.
Indiana cavers (please don't call them spelunkers) meet in Southern Indiana each year in order to team up and explore caves together, exchange information, practice climbing techniques, and have a good time in the outdoors and underground. This is a unique opportunity, since many caves are closed during the year and need special permissions. During the event, not only will many of Indiana's best wild caves be open, but they will have trips led by lifelong cavers who love to get down and dirty.
There is a serious issue of White Nose Syndrome (WNS). Our Hoosier bats are dying, and it is unknown as to how it is spread. So as a precaution, cavers are decontaminating their clothes between caves or bagging them and using fresh ones. We will have decontamination stations and instructions. We love our bats. If we cavers don't self-regulate, the DNR will.
Each person will need 3 sources of light -- three little flashlights will suffice. A helmet. A bike helmet is ok, but some frown upon that. Tape one flashlight on the helmet. Grubby clothes (jeans are great), shoes/boots that can get wet. Gloves. A jacket that can get dirty. A backpack with which to hold your extra two flashlights, a water bottle, a candy bar, two plastic garbage bags, and whatever else you need. The garbage bags will hold their yucky clothes for the trip home - or - in an emergency, can be used to trap heat and avoid hypothermia.
You will need to bring an extra set of clothes for the trip home (or back to the camp as the case may be). We expect that you will not want to go into more than one cave, as the WNS decontamination procedure can be problematic. No parent will allow a muddy kid in their car back to camp, so a change of clothes must be done. Also make note -- these are wild caves. You can fall and get a boo-boo. Of course, we'll choose an easy, walking cave, but I just want to make sure you understand. You'd like cavers -- they're like Mensans outdoors. Bright people, just a little nutty.
Please see the Cave Capers web site for registration information. Our Mensa group will be meeting Saturday morning and staying the day, but you are welcome to join the cavers for the entire weekend event.
Please be sure to RSVP so we know how many to expect. After you RSVP, we can get more information to you.
For more information, go to
www.cavecapers.com Call David if you get lost: (317) 973-0258
